Psychology is an indispensable and integral part of politics. Politicians use psychological tactics to captivate the minds of the voters and beat their political opponents for them to win an election. Since voters have psychological needs that are political, a politician employs psychological tactics in satisfying them. A politician who successfully satisfies voters is the one who is likely to win an election. Therefore, psychology is paramount in political arena. This essay explores the application of psychology in the United States 2012 politics.
The New York Times features the 2012 politics in the Republican Party. Zeleny and Rutenberg (2010) report on the political realignment in the Republican Party indicate that “…not one of the possible 2012 Republican Presidential contenders is planning to make a formal announcement before early next year or even later … to avoid the scrutiny and expenses that come with opening a full-fledged campaigns.”
This is a psychological tactic and strategy to confuse their political opponents. According to the Kuklinski (2002), “the way people think and act in politics depend enormously on the way people think and act.” This underscores the relationship between psychology of the voters and politicians, as the work of the politicians is to harmonize the two different psychological entities in order to captivate the minds of the .voters.
Ms. Palin has left her contenders wondering whether she will be on the race to the White House. Zeleny and Rutenberg (2010) describe Palin as an outstanding candidate by saying that, “no contender produces as much anxiety and curiosity as Ms. Palin.” This description underlines the psychological influence Ms. Palin has over her political opponents and voters.
Ms. Palin has managed to wield much political power in the Republican Party and her contenders are waiting her political moves so that they can position themselves strategically. Since political campaigns are quite far, politicians are planning strategies as they continue to engage in psychological battles during their minimal or silent campaigns.
Politics is about socialization and relationship. Kuklinski (2002) argues that, “politics and psychology of politics are fundamentally social in character.” Political beliefs and values form political culture that transforms perceptions of the voters. This change in perception is the basis of political opinion and is the major objective of the politicians. What the article in the New York Times is trying to portray is the public opinion of politics, which is based on the psychological perceptions of the voters.
According to the Kuklinski, (2002) “when we care about politics and psychology, we care about how people’s thought processes affect, and are affected by the battle over the right ordering of the society, over distribution of value, or over the terms of social cooperation.” In this article, the politicians are opposing the new health care law backed by Senator Tim Pawlenty’s upcoming book to oppose the new health scheme because he psychologically cares about the health status of the people.
In conclusion, psychology is applicable in everyday life since life and politics is about socialization. Maintenance of a lasting friendship requires psychological harmony in a relationship and this gives a feeling of social satisfaction and drives the relationship further. Likewise, to have political power and influence over the voters requires psychological harmony and satisfaction of the voters. Any political tactic is based on the psychological understanding of the needs of the voter and weaknesses of the opponents.
References
Kuklinski, J. (2002). Thinking About Political Psychology. United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.
Zeleny, J., & Rutenberg, J. (2010). Lots of Republicans Toes in the 2012.
Waters, but No Rush to Dive In. The New York Times. Web.